There is not probably to be found in records of human
attachment such a beautiful history of unforgotten affection, as that
presented by the heroic devotion of Irish emigrants to those of their
kindred who remain here from inability to accompany them.*
*The following extract, from a very sensible pamphlet by
Mr. Murray, is so appropriate to this subject, that we cannot
deny ourselves the pleasure of quoting it here:--
"You have been accustomed to grapple with and master
figures, whether as representing the produce of former
tariffs, or in constructing new ones, or in showing the
income and expenditure of the greatest nation on the earth.
Those now about to be presented to you, as an appendix to
this communication, are small, very small, in their separate
amounts, and not by any means in the aggregate of the
magnitude of the sums you have been accustomed to deal with;
but they are large separately, and heaving large in the
aggregate, in all that is connected with the higher and
nobler parts of our nature--in all that relates to and
evinces the feelings of the heart towards those who are of
our kindred, no matter by what waters placed asunder or by
what distance separated. They are large, powerfully large,
in reading lessons of instruction to the statesman and
philanthropist, in dealing with a warm-hearted people for
their good, and placing them in a position of comparative
comfort to that in which they now are.
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